connection with an elevating spring. A blow upon the knob at the top
of the plunger forces the chisel-pointed rods through holes in the
casing into the meat, the casing resting on the surface of the steak.

Messrs. A. W. Southard and Volney R. Sears, of Falls City, Neb., have
patented an improved invalid bedstead, which is provided with
ingenious mechanism for placing the invalid in different positions.

An improved spring attachment for carriage tops, which is designed to
prevent the rear bow from being bent by the weight of the top when
turned back, has been patented by Mr. Robert E. McCormick, of
Doylestown, O.

Mr. Espy Gallipher, of Schellsburg, Pa., has devised an axle journal
having a groove lengthwise upon its upper side which extends back upon
the surface of the axle and communicates with an oil cup. A sliding
rod occupies a portion of the groove; when this rod is drawn out it
permits the oil to fill the groove; when it is pushed into the groove
in the axle, the oil is ejected and a further supply is cut off.

An improved pill machine, invented by Messrs. W. N. Fort and R. R.
Moore, of Lewisville, Ark., is adapted to the manufacture of pills in
large quantities. The machine has mechanism for grinding and mixing
ingredients, a grooved wheel and trough for forming the pills, and a
device for applying powder.

An improvement in millstone adjustments has been patented by Mr.
Stephen P. Walling, of South Edmeston, N. Y. This invention consists
in a screw applied to the end of the mill spindle on which the stone
is rigidly held, so that the running stone may be forced by the screw
away from the stationary stone and held against the action of a spring
at the opposite end of the spindle, the object being to prevent the
stones from becoming dulled by contact with each other.

An improved attachment for sewing machines for soaking or waxing the
thread as it passes the needle, has been patented by Mr. Pedro F.
Fernandez, of San Juan, Porto Rico. The invention consists in a frame
secured to the arm of a sewing machine by a thumb-screw, and provided
with a clamping device for holding wax or soap.

A novel combination of a toggle and springs and levers for operating a
drag saw has been patented by Mr. Harvey Hughes, of Wheat Ridge, Ohio.
The saw, while properly guided, is free to move up or down without
affecting the leverage.

An improvement in filters, which consists in re-enforcing the felt
disk with a backing o